The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Pangaea Castle.
Inside that dim round-table chamber.
The Five Elders sat around the table, the Den Den Mushi receiver suspended above it, the echoes of the call that had just ended still lingering in the air.
Then another Den Den Mushi rang.
It was a black Den Den Mushi reserved for emergency communications, an encrypted channel used only among the World Government's highest ranks.
Saint Saturn reached out and answered.
The voice coming through the receiver was brief.
Just a few sentences.
But every word weighed like something heavy pinned beneath a stone.
After listening, Saint Saturn remained silent for three seconds.
Then he put down the receiver.
His face showed no expression.
But he tapped a finger against the tabletop.
Hard.
"Saint Babette Marcus."
He spoke, his voice low and steady.
"Has been kidnapped."
The four others around the table raised their heads at once.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro rested his hand on his sword hilt, his gaze sharp as an eagle's behind his round glasses.
"Who?"
Saint Saturn answered.
"The man called the Moon Demon."
"Damn it, we still don't even know his name!"
Silence.
A heavy silence filled with suppressed anger.
"Him again."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's voice was low.
"Sinking Marineford wasn't enough."
"Now he even dares to kidnap Celestial Dragons."
His fingers slowly tightened against the tabletop.
"What exactly does he want?"
Saint Saturn did not answer that question.
He leaned against his chair, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"Saint Marcus is a member of the Babette Family."
His voice was level.
"If word gets out that a Celestial Dragon has been kidnapped, the World Government will lose all face."
"But."
He paused.
"We must rescue him."
"No matter the cost."
Saint Topman Warcury frowned.
"You mean to make